PROTECTION OF GENERATOR

ABSTRACT
The thesis deals with different types of and protection in large
capacity in turbo alternators. The brief summery is outlined as follows.

Electric rotating machinery represents a class of equipment

that is very complex and therefore subjected to many different types of
failures. The A.C windings are subjected to the same type of failures as in
transformers and protection must be provided to remove faulted machines
to preserve system integrity as well as to limit the damage to the
equipment. Machines are also subjected to faults in magnetic laminations
and inflations that can lead to heating and eventual significant damage.
Machines are subjected to problems associated with over heating and loss
of life of insulation that accumulates due to over heating.

There are many different types of faults that synchronous

generator may experience and therefore may different types of protection.
All generators will not have same level of protection. As a general rule, the
larger, more expensive machines will have the greatest number of
protection systems simply because serious damage of these units is very
costly, both in terms of repairs and also the cost due to non-availability of
the unit. Too many protective systems increase the preventive maintenance
and testing time resulting in a reduction of protective system reliability and
therefore simpler systems and frequent testing are favored. The final
decision rests on the benefit derived from the added complexity in terms of
improved generator availability. This is not easy to measure accurately
since major outstages are rare events.

In all industrial countries, the power demand is ever

increasing, double itself approximately per decade. This automatically
demands for the design, development of increasingly large capacity turbo
generators. Such machines should be highly reliable on operations.
 PROTECTION OF GENERATOR

The classification, electromagnetic parts, cooling system and

excitation system of synchronous generator has been described in
Chapter 2.

The modern electrical power systems need the protection of

synchronous generator to minimize the fault damage and reduce the need
to replace the faulty part of the system. The role, need and requirement of
protection system are explained in chapter 3.

The protection of synchronous generator involves the

consideration of more harmful and abnormal conditions than the protection
of any other power system element. Various faults which occur in a turbo
generator have been explained in chapter 4. Study of various abnormal
running conditions has been explained in chapter 5.

Generator, turbine, excitation, cooling system data’s and

different types relays used for protection of generator are explained in
chapter-6
 PROTECTION OF GENERATOR

PROFILE OF R.T.S ‘B’ STATION

Ramagundam thermal power station (R.T.P.S) of Andhra
Pradesh State Electricity Board (APSEB) is situated at Ramagundam in the
district of Karimnagar. The plant is situated at 60km from Karimnagar and
4km from Ramagundam railway station. The station is 0.5km from the
state highway connecting Hyderabad-Mancheryal. The power station has
only one unit of 62.5MW
The unit was commissioned in 1972. The plant was financed
under AID scheme unit comprises of boiler of CE USA and turbine
generator of GE USA.
The raw water to the plant is drawn from the river Godavari
situated about 8km from the plant. The water from the river is pumped to a
reservoir on the top of hill near the plant. Water is supplied by gravity to
DM plant through clarifier and directly to CW to cooling tower basins as
make up.
The coal is received at the power station by road and rail from
Godavarikhani of singareni collieries. Adequate facilities are provided for
unloading coal from wagons. However at present the entire coal
requirement is received at plant by road ways by means of trucks.
The ash from the boiler is disposed to the ash disposal area
situated about 1km from the plant towards east of the plant. This are is
getting filled up and extension of the area has to be developed.
The boiler was designed for coal quality of 4050kcal/kg with
ash content of 38.7%. The present coal quality as reported is about
3700kcal/kg with ash content of 42%. Due to ageing deterioration of
equipment, controls and non-availability of spares the performance has
deteriorated. At present the unit ism operating at a PLF of 65% and heat
rate has been reported to be 2660-2730kcal/kwh, while the design heat rate
is 2616kcal/kwh. The unit has been adequate residual life and also for
improving the performance by implementing renovation and
modernization works. Therefore APSEB has decided to carry out
renovation and modernization (R&M) works on the unit to restore the unit
to operate at its rated capacity and at design efficiency. Before taking up
such a major R&M works, APSEB desired to carry out a study to identify
the deficient and problem areas and evolve techno-economic feasibility for
implementation.
 PROTECTION OF GENERATOR

CHAPTER-1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 INDRODUCTION:

Both the historical and present day civilization of mankind are

closely interwoven with energy and there is no doubt in future our
existence will be more and more dependent upon the energy. In the energy
hierarchy electrical energy occupies the top position over 95% of day-to-
day life are dependent on electrical energy. The major segments of power
are power generation, transmission and protection. A proverb says
“prevention is better than cure”. The protection of power system is as
important as its generation and transmission.
In a power system consisting of generator, transformer,
transmission and distribution circuits, it is inevitable that sooner or later
some failure will occur somewhere in the system when a failure occurs in
any part of system it must be quickly detected and disconnected from
system. There are two principle reasons for it. Firstly if the fault is not
cleared not quickly, it may cause unnecessarily interruption of service to
the customer. Secondly rapid disconnection of faulted apparatus limits the
amount of damage to it and prevents the effect of fault from spreading into
the system. The detection of fault and disconnection of a fault section or
apparatus can be achieved by using fuse on LT section and RELAYS in
conjunction with Circuit Breakers for Ht section. The relays detect faults
and supply information to the circuit breaker which performs the function
of circuit interruption.

There occurs a fault

Then the current should halt
Otherwise the fault current would increase
But the RELAY acts quickly
And the Circuit Breaker trips.
The fault part is disconnected
And the power system is protected
 PROTECTION OF GENERATOR

CHAPTER-2
SYNCHRONOUS GENERATOR

2.1INTRODUCTION:
A synchronous generator is a rotating electromagnetic device
which converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
It works on the principle of faradays laws of electromagnetic
induction, which says, “Whenever a conductor cuts magnetic flux,
dynamically induced e.m.f is produced in it”.

2.2 PARTS OF GENERATOR:

 STATOR
 ROTOR

2.2.1 STATOR:
The stator consists of stator frame, stator core, polyphase
winding, two end-covers and bearings. The stator core is a stack of
cylindrical laminations, which are slotted along their inner periphery for
housing 3-ph winding. The stator core fits closely in the cast-iron stator
frame, provides only mechanical support to the stator core and is not
designed to carry the stator flux.
Stator consists of polyphase armature winding. The winding
on the machine that carries the current which varies as the machine is
loaded is called “Armature winding”.

2.2.2 ROTOR:
The rotor consists of excitation of leads, coils and windings.
The excitation leads provide connection between the winding and output
from exciter. The field winding consist of several series connected coils
inserted into the longitudinal slots of the rotor body. The rotor winding is
called as field winding the winding on the machine that handles current
which produces only a working magnetic flux and does not vary with the
load is called “FIELD WINDING”.
 PROTECTION OF GENERATOR

2.3 ADVANTAGES OF STATIONARY ARMATURE:

1. More Economical
2. More Efficient
3. Better Insulation
4. Efficient cooling
5. More output
6. Lesser rotor weight and inertia
7. Rigid and convenient construction
8. More armature tooth strength

2.4 CLASSIFICATION OF SYNCHRONOUS GENERATOR:

Depending up on the rotor constructional design synchronous

generator are classified as

1. Salient pole machine

2. Non salient pole machine

2.4.1 SALIENT POLE MACHINE:

Hydraulic turbines derive salient pole machines, so they are

called as hydro generators. Usually they are of low speed and have large
number of poles. These machines consist of salient pole rotor.

2.4.2 NON-SAILENT POLE MACHINE:

Non-salient pole machines are also called as cylindrical pole

machine. Stem (or) gas turbines drive these machines. So they are called as
turbo-generator usually has 2 or 4 poles. They consist of cylindrical rotor.
 PROTECTION OF GENERATOR

2.5 COOLING SYSTEM:

Synchronous generators produce heat owing to various losses
generated inside the machine like copper losses produced in both stator and
rotor winding, iron losses, friction and windage losses.
As a synchronous machine to deliver the output continuously,
the heat generated inside has to be taken away at the same rate, so that
machine can operate at a stable temperature ensuring longer life for the
insulation system which in turn ensures a longer life of the generator itself.
Thus cooling forms one of the basic requirements of any generator and
effect working of any generator considerably depends on cooling system.

 Air cooling
 Hydrogen cooling
 Water cooling

2.6 EXICITATION SYSTEMS:

In all industrially developed countries the electrical power

demand is increasing, doubling approximately per decade. This
automatically demands for the design, development and construction of
increased large capacity turbo generators. The large capacity alternators
require a reliable and sophisticated mode excitation system the various
types of excitation systems employed are explained below.

CONVENTIONAL D.C EXCITATION SYSTEM:

This consists of three machines namely pilot exciter, main

exciter and main 3-ph alternator, which are mechanically coupled and are
driven by the same shaft. The pilot exciter is a dc shunt generator feeding
the field winding of the exciter. The main exciter is separately excited D.C
generator, which in turn feeds the field winding of the main alternator
through brushes and slip rings.
 PROTECTION OF GENERATOR

STATIC EXCITATION:

In this method the excitation power for the main alternator

field is drawn from output terminals of the main 3-ph alternator. For this
purpose, a 3-ph transformer steps down the alternator voltage to the
desired value. This 3-ph voltage is fed to the 3-ph full converter bridge
using thyristors. The D.C power output from the thyristor is fed to the field
winding of the main alternator through brushes and slip rings. A125 volts
battery bank is used for initiation the process of static excitation.

BRUSHLESS EXCITATION:
In this scheme main shaft of prime mover drives pilot exciter,
main exciter and main alternator. Silicon diode rectifiers are mounted on
main shaft. Pilot exciter is permanent magnet alternator. Three phase
power from pilot exciter is fed to the thyristor-controlled bridge. The
controlled 3-ph power developed in main exciter is fed through hallow
shaft to rotating silicon diode rectifier mounted in same shaft. The D.C
power from rectifier is fed to main alternator field with out brushes and
slip rings.
 PROTECTION OF GENERATOR

CHAPTER-3

PROTECTION

3.1 ROLE AND NEED:

In the modern electric power system consisting of generators,

transformers, station bus bars, transmission lines and soon. Electrical
rotating machinery represents different types of equipments which are very
complex and therefore subjected to many different types of failures. The
capital investments involved in the power system for the generation,
transmission and distribution of electric power is so high that proper
precautions must be ensured to protect the equipment from faults where
these faults lead to over heating and there by loss of insulation life which
inturn leads to the failure of machine.

3.2 REQUIREMENTS OF PROTECTION SYSTEM:

 To minimize the fault damages and reduce the need to replace the
faulty part of the system.
 To reduce repair outage times and minimize the need to run low
merit (i.e. less cost efficient) system in order to meet the demand.
 To assist in maintaining the system stability.
 RELIABILITY: A protective system must operate reliably when a
fault occurs. The reliability of a protective relay should very high, a
typical value being 95%.
 SELECTIVITY: A protective system should be selective enough to
operate when the magnitude of actuating quantity exceeds pickup.
 SENSITIVITY: The quality of the protective system by which it
distinguishes between the conditions for which it should operate and
those for which it should not.
 SPEED: A protective system should be fast enough to cause the
isolation of the faulty sections as quickly as possible to minimize the
damage and maintain the stability.
 PROTECTION OF GENERATOR

3.3 PROTECTION SCHEME-DESIGN CRITERIA:

Generally the protection system is designed so that of a fault

occurs, then that faulty part is disconnected from the main system thus
ensuring a minimum over all damage.

Listed below are the major requirements on which protection

scheme selection and settings are based:

 Faulty parts of the system must be disconnected as quickly as

possible to minimize the damage.
 The protective system should be stabile for faults outside the
protective zone
 Secondary or back-up protection should clear faults not cleared by
faulty items own protection system.
 Protection scheme of plant is to be designed to match as closely as
possible to the plant operating characteristics.
 In general, protection systems should be designed so that no single
failure of a protective device causes a trip or permits a fault remain
connected to the system. The exception is where the reliability of
protection system is such that failure to trip is not considered
credible i.e. where equipment is installed in controlled temperature
and humidity conditions and is fully dust-proofed. This applies
electromagnetic relays where risk of mal function is very low.
 The allocation of output contacts of the protective relays must be
such that the operation of any relay does not cause tripping of more
than one tripping system.
 Standing tripping conditions when the generator unit is out of
service must be avoided. For example turbine and generator
mechanical trips which would remain operated after the unit has
been shut down or normally removed by open pressure switches
mounted in the turbine hydraulic fluid pressure system.
 The facilities associated with one tripping system shall be physically
segregated from the other tripping systems as for as practicable, by
using separate relay panels, separate terminal blocks in marshalling
and terminating cubicles and diverse rating of secondary cables.
 The detailed electrical connections for the protective relay circuits
have to be in accordance with appropriate CEGB standards.
 PROTECTION OF GENERATOR

CHAPTER-4

PROTECTION OF SYNCHRONOUS
GENERATOR

4.1 INTRODUCTION:

Protection of generators involves the consideration of more

harmful abnormal operating conditions than the protection of any other
power system elements. The protection of the plant to ensure safe
operation and to minimize damage in the event of mechanical or electrical
faults. There is a fear that protection system of a generator might operate
improperly to remove a generator from service unnecessarily. To avoid this
fear, the need of protection system and its applications for a given
generator should be clearly understand.

For different types of faults that a synchronous generator

experiences, there are different types of protection schemes to be
employed. All generators have their own level of protection i.e. larger and
more expensive machines will have to be provided with greatest number of
different protection schemes. However, too many protective schemes
increase the preventive maintenance and testing time thus resulting in
reduction of protective system reliability.

4.2 METHODS OF EARTHING OF GENERATOR:

It is common practices now-a-days to operate 3-ph systems

with their neutral points connected to earth, in order to high transient over
voltages appearing on the system under earth fault conditions and to permit
the use of discriminating protective relays that will isolate a faulty section
with a minimum disturbance. The loss of the neutral earth point on any
part or section of a system under fault conditions, can lead to further
breakdowns, so that a simple fault may quickly develop into one of a
complicated nature and cause a complete system breakdown.
 PROTECTION OF GENERATOR

4.2.1 DIRECT EARTHING:

Direct earthing of a generator is generally limited to low

voltage machine in the range of 440v where the resistance of the earth path
is sufficient to limit the earth fault current to a value lower than the
corresponding 3-ph value. With this type of earthing it is important to note
that it only requires a resistance of 0.1ohm in the earth fault path of the
machine to limit the maximum prospective earth fault current, ignoring any
voltage drop that might take place at the fault to 250/0.1=2500A.

4.2.2 RESISTANCE EARTHING:

It is extensively used for fault current limitations. Its

advantage over other current limiting devices is that resistance has a
damping effect on transient over voltage conditions and that the value of
earth fault current can be readily determined. The current through the
neutral earthing resistor can be limited to any practicable value, but usually
it varies some about 10A up the full load current rating of machine.

4.2.3 DISTRIBUTION TRANSFORMER EARTHING:

This method of earthing which is equivalent to earthing the

generator through a high resistance, is particularly suitable for generator
connected to step up transformer with a delta or star vector graph, because
an earth fault on the high voltage system is not effected by generator
earthing.

The advantage of distribution transformer is that resistor used

in secondary of transformer is of low ohmic value and of robust
construction as compared to a high ohm, low current resistor when
connected directly in generator neutral. The size of the transformer loading
resistor is related to the capacitive current to earth of the generator cables
and low voltage windings of the step up transformer. The practical aim is
to make the distribution transformer primary current equal to capacitive
fault current, usually of the order of 5-15A and thus prevent high transient
over voltage.
 PROTECTION OF GENERATOR

4.2.4 EARTHING TRANSFORMER:

An alternative method to resistance earthing of generator

directly connected to the system bus bars and operation in parallel is to run
the machine unearthed and to have the bus bars earthed via an earthing
transformer.

The design of earthing transformer is such that, under normal

working conditions, only a small magnetizing current is drawn, but the
windings are generally arranged so that very low impedance is present to
the flow of earth fault currents. Consequently, it is usual to provide a
resistor for connection in the star connections to limit the earth fault
current to required value. The advantage of this method is that it solves the
problem of third harmonic current calculation and its disadvantage is its
high cost.

4.3 PROTECTION OF GENERATORS:

A generator is the most important and costly equipment in a

power system. As it is a accompanied by prime mover, excitation system,
voltage regulator, cooling system, etc., its protection becomes very
complex and elaborate. It is subjected to more types of troubles than any
other equipment. A modern generating set is generally provided with the
following protective schemes.

1. STATOR PROTECTION:
a) Percentage differential protection
b) Protection against stator intern turn faults
c) Stator over heating protection

2. ROTOR PROTECTION:
a) Rotor earth fault protection
b) Loss of excitation protection
c) Unbalanced load currents
 PROTECTION OF GENERATOR

4.3.1 STATOR PROTECTION:

a) Percentage differential protection:

Fig shows the schematic diagram of percentage differential

protection. it is used for the protection of generators above 1MW. It
protects against winding faults, i.e., phase to phase and phase to ground
faults. It is also called as “merz-price circulating current scheme”. The
polarity of the secondary voltage of C.T’s at a particular moment for an
external fault has been shown in the fig. In the operating coil, the current
sent by the upper C.T is cancelled by the current sent by the lower C.T and
the relay does not operate. For an internal fault, the polarity of the
secondary voltage of the upper C.T is reversed as shown in the fig. Now
the operating coil carries the sum of the currents sent by the upper C.T and
the lower C.T and it operates and trips the circuit breaker.

The percentage differential protection does not respond to

external faults and over loads. It provides complete protection against
phase to phase faults. It provides protection against ground faults to about
80-85% of the generator winding. it does not provide protection to 100%
of the winding because it is influenced by the magnitude of the earth fault
current which will depend on method of neutral grounding.
Due to the difference in the magnetizing currents of the upper
and lower C.T’s the current through the operating coil will not be zero
even under normal loading conditions or during external fault conditions.
Therefore to provide stability on external faults, bias coils are provided.
The relay is set to operate, not at a definite current but at a certain
percentage of the through current. To obtain the require amount of biasing
a suitable ratio of the restrain coil turns to operating coil turns is provided.
 PROTECTION OF GENERATOR

b) Protection against stator interturn faults:

Longitudinal percentage differential protection does not detect

stator interturn faults. A transverse percentage differential protection, as
shown fig is employed for the protection of generator against stator
interturn faults. This type of protection is used for generator having
parallel separately brought out to the terminals. The modern large steam
turbine driven generators usually have only one turn per phase per slot and
hence they no need interturn fault protection. A faster and more sensitive
split phase protection as shown fig can employed. In this scheme a single
C.T having double primary used. No bias is necessary because a common
C.T s employed so that the error due to C.T differences do not occur.

c) Stator-overheating protection:

Over heating of the stator may be caused by the failure of the

cooling system, overloading or core faults like short circuited laminations
and core bolt insulation. Modern generators employ two methods to detect
over heating both being used in large generators. In one method, the inlet
and outlet temperatures if cooling medium which may be hydrogen/water
may be compared for overheating. In other method, the temperature
sensing elements are embedded in the stator slots to sense the temperature.
Fig shows the stator overheating relaying scheme. When the temperature
exceeds the preset maximum temperature limit, the relay sounds alarm.
The scheme employs a temperature detector unit, relay and Wheatstone-
bridge for the purpose. The temperature sensing element may be a
thermistor, thermocouples or resistance temperature indicator. They are
embedded in the stator slots at different locations. These element are
connected to a multi-way selector switch which checks each one in turn for
a period long enough to operate an alarm relay.
 PROTECTION OF GENERATOR

4.3.1 ROTOR PROTECTION:

a. Field ground fault:

As the field circuit is operated ungrounded, a single ground
fault does not affect the generator or cause any damage. However, a single
rotor fault to earth increases the stress to the winding. Thus the, probability
of the occurrence of the second ground fault is increased. In case a second
ground fault occurs, apart of the field winding is bypassed, thereby
increasing the current through the remaining portion of the field winding.
this causes an unbalance in the air-gap fluxes, thereby creating unbalance
in the magnetic forces on the opposite side of the rotor. The unbalancing in
the magnetic forces makes the rotor shaft eccentric. This also causes
vibrations. Even though the second ground fault may not bypass enough
portion of the field winding to cause magnetic unbalance, the arching at the
fault causes local heating which slowly distorts the rotor producing
eccentricity and vibrations.

Fig shows the schematic diagram of rotor earth fault

protection. A dc voltage is impressed between the field and earth through a
polarised moving iron relay. It is not necessary to trip the machine when a
single field earth fault occurs. Usually an alarm is sounded. The immediate
steps are taken to transfer the load from fault generator and shut it down as
quickly as possible to avoid further problem.

b. Loss of excitation:
When the excitation of the generator is lost, it is speeds up slightly
and operates as an induction generator. Round –rotor generator do not have
damper winding and hence they are not suitable for such an operation. The
rotor is over heated quickly due to heavy induced currents in the rotor iron.
The rotor of salient pole generator is not overheated because they have
damper winding which carry induced currents. The stator of both salient
and non-salient pole generator are over heated due to wattles current drawn
by the machine as magnetizing current from the system. The stator over
heating does not occur as quickly as rotor over heating. A large machine
may upset the system stability as it draws reactive power from the system
when it run as induction generator. A machine which provided with quick-
acting automatic voltage regulator and connected to very large system may
run for several minutes as an induction generator without harm.
 PROTECTION OF GENERATOR

Field failure may be caused by the failure of excitation or

mal-operation of a field breaker. A protective relay employing offset mho
or directional relay having characteristic as shown in fig is recommended
for large modern generators. When a generator losses its excitation, the
locus of the equivalent generator impedance moves from the first quadrant
to the fourth quadrant, irrespective of initial conditions. This type of locus
is not traced in any other conditions. The relay trips the field breaker and
the generator is disconnected from the system.

c. Unbalanced load current protection:

Unbalanced loading means that there are different phase

currents in the alternator. Unbalanced loading arises from faults to earth or
faults between phases on the circuit external to the alternator. The
unbalanced currents, if allowed to persist, may either severely burn the
mechanical fixings of the rotor core are damage the field winding.
The schematic arrangement for the protection of alternator
against unbalanced loading. The scheme comprises 3 line CT’s, one
mounted in each phase, having their secondaries connected in parallel. A
relay is connected in parallel across the transformers secondaries. Under
normal operating conditions, equal currents flows through the different
phases of the alternator and their algebraic sum are zero. Therefore, the
sum of the currents flowing in the secondaries is also zero and no current
flows through the operating coil of the relay. However, if the unbalanced
occurs, the currents induced in the secondaries will be the different and the
resultant of these currents will flow through relay. The operation of the
relay will trip the circuit breaker to disconnect the alternator from the
system.
 PROTECTION OF GENERATOR

CHAPTER-5

MISCELLANEOUS

The generating units, especially the large ones, are

relatively few in number and higher in individual cost than most other
equipment. Therefore, it is desirable and necessary to provide protection to
cover the wide range of faults which may occur in the modern generating
plant.
Some of the important faults which may occur on an alternator
are:
1. Failure of prime-mover
2. Failure of field
3. Over current
4. Over speed
5. Over voltage
6. Bearing insulation
7. Abnormal frequency conditions

1. FAILURE OF PRIME-MOVER:

When input to the prime-mover fails, the alternator

runs as synchronous motor and draws some current from the supply
system. This motoring condition is known as “inverted running”.

a) In case of turbo-alternator sets, failure of steam supply may cause

inverted running. If the steam supply gradually restored, the
alternator will pick up load without disturbing the system. If the
steam failure is likely to be prolonged, the machine can be safely
isolated by the control room attendant since this condition is
relatively harmless. Therefore automatic protection is not required.

b) In case of hydro-generator sets, protection against inverted

running is achieved by providing mechanical devices on the water
wheel. When the water flow drops to an insufficient rate to
maintain the electrical output, the alternator is disconnected from
 PROTECTION OF GENERATOR

the system. Therefore, in this case also electrical protection is not

necessary.

c) Diesel engine driven alternators, when running inverted, draw a

considerable amount of power from the supply system and it a
usual practice to provide protection against motoring in order to
avoid damage due to possible mechanical seizure. This is achieved
by applying reverse power relays to the alternator which isolate the
latter during their motoring action. It is essential that the reverse
power relays have time-delay in operation in order to prevent
inadvertent tripping during system disturbances caused by faulty
synchronizing and phase swinging.

2. FAILURE OF FIELD:

The chances of field failure of alternators are

undoubtedly very rare. Even if it does occur, no immediate damage
will be caused by permitting alternator to run without a field for a
short period it is sufficient to relay on the control room attendant to
disconnect the faulty alternator manually from the system bus-bars.
Therefore, it is a universal practice not to provide automatic protection
against this contingency.

3. OVER CURRENT:

It occurs mainly due to partial brake down of winding

insulation or due to over load on the supply system. Over current
protection for alternators is considered unnecessary because of the
following reasons:

a. The modern tendency is to design alternators with very high values of

internal impedance so that they will stand a complete short-circuit at
their terminals for sufficient with out serious over heating. On the
occurrence of an over load, the alternators can be disconnected
manually.

b. The disadvantage of using over load protection for alternators is that

such a protection might disconnect the alternators from the power
 PROTECTION OF GENERATOR

plant bus on account of sum momentary troubles outside the plant and,
therefore, interfere with the continuity of electric service.

4. OVER SPEED:

The chief cause of over speed is the sudden loss of all

or major part of load on the alternator. Modern alternators are usually
provided with mechanical centrifugal devices mounted on their driving
shaft to trip the main valve of the prime-mover when a dangerous over
speed occurs.

5. OVER -VOLTAGE:

The field excitation system of modern alternators is so

designed that over-voltage condition at normal running speed cannot
occur. However over voltage in an alternator occurs when speed of the
prime –mover increases due to sudden loss of the alternator load.

Incase of steam-turbine driven alternators, the control

governors are very sensitive to speed variations. They exercise a
continuous check on over speed and thus prevent the occurrence of over-
voltage protection is not provided on turbo-alternator sets.

In case of hydro-generator, the control governors are much

less sensitive and appreciable time may elapse before the rise in speed due
to loss of load is checked. The over voltage during this time may reach a
value which would over-stress the stator windings and insulation
breakdown may occur. It is, therefore, a usual practice to provide over-
voltage protection a hydro generator units. The over-voltage relays are
operated from a voltage supply derived from the generator terminals. The
relays are so arranged that when the generated voltage rises 20% above the
normal value, they operate to

 Trip the main circuit breaker to disconnect the faulty

alternator from the system.
 Disconnect the alternator field circuit.
 PROTECTION OF GENERATOR

6. BEARING INSULATION:

In case of large generators, the voltage generated in the

shaft due to leakage fluxes circulates currents through the shaft .
These currents flows through the bearings and foundations and cause
pitting of bearing. To prevent the circulating shaft currents one of the
bearings and its auxiliary piping should be insulated from ground.

7. ABNORMAL FREQUENCY PROTECTION:

Two types of abnormal frequency conditions can occur

on a power system.

 Under frequency condition occur on a power system as a

result of a sudden reduction in input power to generator. This
can produce a decline in the speed of the generator, thus
resulting in system frequency decline.
 An over frequency occurs as a result of a sudden loss of load. In
such a case the prime mover output supplying the initial load drop is
absorbed by the moving parts and is accelerated to higher speeds and
this in turn results in an increase in system frequency.

These abnormal frequency conditions can cause

generator to trip or tie lines to open from over load or parts of the system to
separate due to power swings and resulting in stability. This could result in
the power system separating into one or more electrically isolate islands. To
prevent generator from operating at low frequencies it is customary to
provide a two stage protection. Over frequency is usually associated with
light load or no load operation. Therefore, operation with in the over
frequency limits of the turbine will not produce generator over heating so
long as rated KVA and rated voltage are not exceed.
 PROTECTION OF GENERATOR

CHAPTER-6

GENERATOR PROTECTION SCHEME AT RTS

B-STATION RAMAGUNDAM

1. GENERATOR DATA:

SLNO PARAMETER VALUES

1. Rated active out put 62.5MW

2. Rated apparent output 78.125MVA
3. Rated voltage 13.8KV+/- 5%
4. Rated stator current 3269Amps
5. Rated field current 818Amps
6. Rated power factor 0.8 Lag
7. Rated frequency 50HZ
8. Rated gas pressure 30PSIG
9. Number of poles 2

2. TURBINE DATA:

SLNO PARAMETER VALUE

1. Rated output 62.5MVA
2. Rated seed 3000RPM
3. Rated pressure 87.9g/sqcm
4. Rated temperature 510 ‘c’
5. No of stages 17
6. Exhaust pressure 635mm of Hg
 PROTECTION OF GENERATOR

3. ECXITOR DATA (OLD):

SLNO PARAMETER VALUE

1. Rated Output 250KW
2. Rated voltage 250V
3. Rated speed 1785RPM
4. Rated field current 1362Amps
5. Rated field resistance at 25c 4.96Ω
6. Rated current 1000Amps
7. Winding type Differential compound
8. Duty type Continuous 40 c rise
9. Enclosure special

4. GAS COOLER DATA:

SLNO PARAMETER VALUE

1. Inlet water temperature 95 ‘F’

2. Water flow at rated load 660GPM

3. Head loss through cooler 8 feet

4. Gas flow through generator 55000 CFM

5. Gas space in generator casing 1435cubic feet

 PROTECTION OF GENERATOR

TYPES OF RELAYS USED IN RTS B-STATION

The following are different types of relays used in RTS-B

station.

 OVER CURRENT RELAY:

CONSTRUCTION:

The relay consist of an induction unit with an instantaneous

unit which permits instantaneous tripping of extremely high currents or an
induction unit with an AC tripping unit for use where DC power is
unavailable or AC tripping is preferred.

The induction unit is the basic unit in over current relay.

These units are of the induction disc construction type. The disc is actuated
by a current operating coil in a laminated U-magnet. The disc shaft carries
the moving contact, which completes the alarm or trip circuit, when it
touches the stationary contact or contacts. The disc shaft is restrained by a
spring to give the proper contact closing current and its motion is retarded
by permanent magnet action on the disc to give the correct time delay.

There is a seal in the unit mounted on the front to the left of

the shaft. This unit has its coil in series and its contacts are in parallel with
the main contacts such that when the main contact close the seal in unit
picks up and seals it.

APPLICATIONS:

The induction unit is the main unit in the IAC type relays
supplying the inverse time delay characteristics of the relay and sending an
alarm of tripping the breaker for over load currents which cause its
contacts to close.
 PROTECTION OF GENERATOR

NAME PLATE DETAILS:

Make General
Model 121AC51A104A TF
Type IAC
Rated stator current 3269Amps
Rated pressure 30 PSIG
C.T. ratio adopted 4000/5
Plug setting 4,5,6,7,8,10,12,16 available
Time settings 0 to 10 available

 HIGH SPEED DIFFERENTIAL RELAY:

These relays comprise a group that is used for differential

protection of alternating current machines against both ph-ph and ph-
ground faults. The relays function on the basic principle that there exists a
difference.

Between the current entering the stator and that leaving the
winding, when the difference exceeds a certain minimum value due to
internal faults the relay will closes its contacts.

Delta connected machines with both ends of each winding

available can readily be connected for phase-phase fault protection. The
CT’s in the winding should have the ratio as the transformers in the lines.

When current difference protection is provided for AC

machines. The field switches below 84*Amps are safe without limits.
Where taps are used on the C.T. secondaries. Limiters are not necessary if
the current is less that

Square of (active turns)

84*= ___________________________
Square of (total turns)
 PROTECTION OF GENERATOR

The unit in differential relay is of instantaneous type.

Generally the time taken for the relay to operate is less 0.2sec and pickup
value is 0.2A. in the single diagram of a generator differential relay, there
are 2 CT’s each of 4000/5 ratio. When there is a fault in between the two
then there exists a difference in current which flows through the operating
coil of the relay.

Make General Electric

Model 12CFD12B3A TF
Type CFD
C.T ratio adopted 4000/5

 POWER DIRECTIONAL RELAY:

APPLICATION:

It is designed especially for use in protection against motoring

of a generator up on loss of prime mover. When the generator starts a
motor, the directional unit closes its contacts and energizes the coil of the
time delay unit. The time delay unit then starts to time out. If the generator
continues to time out, the generator breaker is tripped. If the prime mover
starts to drive the generator before the time delay unit has timed out the
directional unit will open its contacts and the time delay will reset.

The directional unit has a maximum torque when the current

is at unit power factor the directional unit therefore operates on the watt
component of the current flowing into the generator. The directional unit
will close if primary KW into the generator is more than the following.

Primary KW = 0.0052*CT ratio*PT ratio

 PROTECTION OF GENERATOR

NAME PLATE DETAILS:

Make General Electric

Model 12GGP53B3ATF
Type GGP
C.T ratio adopted 4000/5
P.T ratio adopted 14400/120
Plug setting available 0.025Amps
Time lag setting available 0-10

 LOSS OF EXICITATION RELAY:

APPLICATION:

It is a single phase off set mho type relay, which operates on

the induction cylinder principle, providing high steady torque acting on a
low inertia parts.

This relay is designed to detect the loss of excitation of

synchronous generators. It has sufficient selectivity not to function during
system short circuits. The shape and location of relay characteristics are
such that maximum possible selectivity is provided against operation
during power wings or loss of synchronism.

The offset value of the relay characteristics is half of the

transient reactance of the generator (Xd’/2) . The diameter of the relay
characteristics is equal to the half of the synchronous reactance (Xs/2).
 PROTECTION OF GENERATOR

NAME PLATE DETAILS:

Make General Electric

Model 12CEH11A4 TF
OFFSET settings in steps available 0 to 4 Ohms
Restraint tap settings available 0 to 100%
Type CEH

 OVERVOLTAGE RELAY:

CONSTRUCTION:

This relay is made up of the induction disk construction. The

disk is actuated by a potential operating coil on a U-magnet. The disk shaft
carries the moving contact, which completes the trip or alarm circuit when
it touches the stationary contact or contacts. The disk shaft is restrained by
a spiral spring to give the proper contact closing voltage, and its motion is
retarded by permanent magnets acting on the disk to give correct time
delay.

APPLICATION:

These relays are protective devices to close trip or alarm

circuits whenever the voltage applied to their operating coils reaches some
predetermined value.

NAME PLATE DETAILS:

Make General Electric

Plug settings Available 55, 64, 70, 82, 93, 105, 120, 140
Time lag setting Available 0 to 10
Model 121AV51A3A TF
Type IAV
P.T. Ratio adopted 14400/120
 PROTECTION OF GENERATOR

NEGATIVE PHASE SEQENCE RELAY:

CONSTRUCTION:

The relay consists essentially of an induction disk over

current unit with a negative-phase –sequence component of the generator
load.

APPLICATION:

This relay is used to protect generators from unbalance phase

currents. It is also used for protection against phase faults. This relay has
been designed to provide best possible co ordination between the
generators’s heating characteristic and the other system protection .Since
the relay is protecting the generator from damage caused by faults on
system rather than from internal faults, it is providing essentially backup
protection. Hence, it is essential that the relay time characteristic be such
that it can be coordinated with other relay on the system, but still provide
necessary protection on the system. The relay time characteristic should be
such that the generator should withstand the over current till the relay is
tripped. This relay is used for both trip and alarm.

NAME PLATE DETAILS:

Make General Electric

Model 121INC77B4A TF
Type INC
Plug setting available 3, 3.7, and 4.5
Time lag setting available 0 to 10
 PROTECTION OF GENERATOR

 VOLTAEG RESTRAINT OVER CURRENT RELAY:

CONSTRUCTION:

These relays are induction disk time over current relays

having restraint and inverse time characteristic.

APPLICATIONS:

System fault back up protection should be provided at the

source of fault current, the generator. Such protection should provide
against the generator. Such protection should provide against the generator
continuing to supply short circuit current to a fault in an adjacent system
because the fault may not have been removed by other protective
equipment. Phase fault protection should be provided for the generator by
either 3 single phase relays or by 3 single phase distance relays and a
timer. The choice between the two types which the external fault back up
relays are to selective.

NAME PLATE DETAILS:

Make General Electric

Model 121JCV51A14A TF
Type IJCV
Plug setting available 1/4A, 0 V ,4/16A,120V
Time lag setting available 0 to 10
 PROTECTION OF GENERATOR

CONCLUSION

In all industrial countries, the electrical power demand is ever

increasing, doubling itself approximately per decode. This automatically
demands for the design, development and construction of increasingly
large capacity turbo generators. Such large capacity alternators should be
highly reliable in operation

.Hence the synchronous generator is the core of Electrical

power generation, control and protection plays vital role in power system.

The most common form of protection employed for both

the phase and ground faults is the “ Merze price circulating current ” –
protection scheme is also known as percentage differential protection.

100% protection for stator ground faults is provided by

restricted earth fault protection and stand by protection. Rotor faults are
detected by using field ground detectors.

For unbalanced faults negative sequence relay are used. The

most widely used method for detecting the generators loss of field
condition is the use of distance relays, OFF set relays serves the purpose,
for the protection of prime mover failure reverse power relays are used,
protection against over Speed is done by using watt metric relays.
 PROTECTION OF GENERATOR

BIBILOGRAPHY

 IEEE TUTORIALON THE PROTECTION OF

SYSCRONOUS GENERATORS.
---Sponsored by
The Power Engineering Education Committee,
Power System Relaying Committee.

 PROTECTIVE RELAYS APPLICATION

GUIDE
---ALSTOM Private Limited.

 MANUAL ON GENERATOR PROTECTION

----Provided by
Ramagundam Thermal ‘B’ Station.

 SWITCH GEAR AND POWER SYSTEM

PR0TECTION
---By Sunil. S .Rao.

 PRINICIPLES OF POWER SYSTEM

---By V.K. Mehta.
Rohit Mehta.

 POWER SYSTES
---By C.L. Wadha.